Pauly et cie.

This gilt chair was designed as a grotto or garden chair with a stylized scallop shell seat and back, arms in the form of sea creatures and legs of conch shells. It was produced by Pauly et Cie, a Venetian company that produced glass, artistic furniture, marbles, mirrors, chandeliers, mosaics, and tableware. This model of armchair is referenced in the 1904 catalog of the Venetian firm under number 3019. Interestingly, the company's advertising brochure was in four languages, indicating a wide appeal across Europe and the Atlantic. Lovers and collectors of Grotto furniture include a number of very prominent and international people of the 20th Century, such as businesswoman Helena Rubinstein, Indian politician Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the Mexican actress María Félix, and notably, the French painter Henri Matisse, who likely owned the chair and painted it at least twice in Intérieur bleu et jaune (c.1946) and Petit intérieur bleu (c.1952).

Public collection:
Victoria & Albert Museum, London. The very same model of armchair in the collection of this museum, accession number W.2-1972.